SOUTHPORT’S historic shrimping industry could be threatened by plans to restrict fishing in the Irish Sea.

Local interest groups were told last week that water off the Southport coast could be given environmental protection in a bid conserve fish stocks and boost wildlife.

While no decisions have been made as to what areas will become no-go zones, seafarers voiced fears that their livelihoods may be at stake.

The Irish Sea Conservation Zones project aims to help secure a healthy future for the sea and the coast.

Meetings are being held with users across the region to form a stakeholders body to decide which areas should be protected and how.

Malcolm Goy, a local fisherman, said commercial users of the Irish sea were fearful of the plans.

He said: “There’s a lot of confusion really because nobody knows what’s going to be affected and what’s not.

“There are not many commercial fishermen in Southport but the likes of the shrimpers are scared that the waters they use will become a no-take zone.

“The restrictions would apply all the way to the shoreline, so it could affect a lot of people.

“A lot of people who fish for a hobby are also a bit suspicious of what this scheme could do. We throw the bulk of the fish we catch back in the sea, so we are not affecting stock levels. It would be a bit unfair if we were told we could no longer fish.”

Just which areas of the Irish Sea – which stretches from south Wales to Cumbria – will be given environmental protection will follow stakeholders’ recommendations to the government in June 2011.

Syd Wisdom, of Southport Angling Club, said his 45 members feared a loss of sport if restrictions were imposed.

He said: “There was a lot of suspicion and, at first, confusion at this meeting, with the expectation that angling and fishing will be banned.

“It was explained that this conservation group are after knowledge and information as to where the best places are to create these protected areas. They don’t want to cause friction with the many sea users in our area.

“All anglers and marine groups are aware of the potential of these zones but they fear a lost of occupation and sport.”

Dr Emily Hardman, who is leading the consultation for Irish Sea Conservation Zones, said: “People who love to go fishing and earn their livelihoods from the sea have in the past been quite sceptical of these kinds of consultation.

“What we are trying though is to engage with the people who care for the sea and ask them for their opinions on what areas they would like to see protected or not.”